Labeling-machine.



J. W. ANDERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2, 1913.

1,130,129. Patented Mar.2, 1915.

7 SHBETSSHEET 1 INVENTOR gma wg J. W. ANDERSON. LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2, 1913' 1 9 30, 1 29. Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR 4 :2 ATTORNEYS NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTUN, D. C.

J. W. ANDERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

7 SHEETSSHEET 3.

W ITN ESSES ATTORN BY 5 THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON, u. C

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

J. W. ANDERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIQN FILED AUG. 2, 191a.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEYS "HE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHDTO-LITHO, WASHINGTON, D. C.

J. W. ANDERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG; 2, 191av Patented M21122, 1915.

7 SHEETS-*SHEET 5.

' ATTORNEYS Jam fiNTOR J. W. ANDERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 2, 191a.

Patentd M21122; 1915.

VSHEETS-SHEETB.

QQNNN II.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS HE NORRIS PETERS cO., PHoTo-IJTH" WASHING TON. D C.

J. W. ANDERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2, 1913.

7 SHEETS SHEBT 7 INVENTOR ATT'ORN EYS THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHDTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON, u. C.

Patented M21112, 1915.

lUNl'TED STATFS rarnnr @Fhifili.

JAMES W. ANDERSON, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 F. N. BURT COMPANY, 'LIMITED, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF ONTARIO, CANADA.

LABELING-MACHINE.

Application filed August 2, 1913.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that 1, JAMES W. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of'hlew York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Labeling- Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for attaching labels to articles, and with respect to its more specific features, to mechanism for automatically attaching a plurality of labels to boxes.

()ne of the objects of the invention is the provision of a practical machine of the class described wherewith labels may be separately applied to the inside and the outside of relatively small boxes, as, for example, cigarette boxes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of simple construction and efficient operation, capable of automatically labeling boxes as described.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of the character referred to wherewith labels may be automatically applied to the inside of a plurality of boxes in an accurate and eflicient manner.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, showing one of the possible embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the labeling machine; Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the machine; Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal horizontal section throughout an intermediate portion of the machine and showing more especially the relationship of the various operating elements; Fig. i is a side elevation, partly in section, of one of the box carriers and its operating mechanism; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 4:, partly broken away, showing the parts more clearly; Fig. 6 is an elevation of the device employed to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Serial no. 782,634.

press labels against the inside of the boxes; Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing cam and operation connections for the glue pad and label holder of the inside labeling device; Fig. 8 is an elevation of the mechanism for feeding one of the boxes to the rotary carrier; Fig. 9 is an end plan view of the endless belt comprising a portion of the feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a detail rear view of the picker finger; Fig. 11 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the detailed construction of one of the carriers for the inside labeling of boxes associated with 'a glue pad which transfers glue to the inside of the box; Fig. 12 is a front view of the part shown in Fig. 11; Figs. 13, 1.4: and 15 are detail views of different parts; Fig. 16 is a sid elevation of the labei mechanism from which labels are supplied to the inside of the boxes; Fig. 17 is a plan view of the label mechanism shown in Fig. 16; and Fig. 18 is a detail View showing the construction of the device for stripping the boxes from the machine.

In labeling articles, and especially in labeling relatively small boxes such as those employed as a container for cigarettes, it

is especially desirable that the labels shall.

be applied to the boxes in correct position; that they shall be smoothly and evenly applied, free from air bubbles, etc; that the adhesive employed to attach the labels to the boxes shall be kept at the place or places where it performs its function and not be deposited on the surface of the box in such a manner as to render the box unsightly. Taking these and other requirements into consideration, the machine herein described automatically labels boxes in accordance with the requirements above stated and others.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the supporting frame of the machine comprises an upper table 1 and a lower table 2, preferably slightly elevated on legs 3. A main driving shaft 4 is horizontally journaled in bearing standards 5 on the lower table, and is driven by a belt pulley 6 rotatably mounted on the outer end of the main shaft and adapted to be coupled therewith by a clutch 7 operated by any suitable means. The main shaft 4: terminates adjacent the central longitudinal line of the lower table and is there provided with a bevel gear 8, meshing with a similar gear 9 on a longitudinal horizontal countershaftlO,

fast on a vertical shaft journaled in bear ing sockets 17 on the lower and the upper table. In line with the main shaft is a third countershaft 18, supported in bearingstand ards 19 on the lower table, and driven from the bevel gear 9 by a companion bevel gear 20. A second vertical shaft 21, at one end of the frame is driven from the shaft 12 by bevel gears 22 and 23.

The numeral 24 represents an endless belt box conveyer, the upper ply of which is adapted to support boxes open side down and to move them successively into a predetermined position wherein they are fed one by one to a carrying device which conveys them into positions where labeling operations are performed thereon, as will be heremafter explained. Preferably the endless belt box supply device is of the construction disclosed in Patent No. 1,019,351, dated March 5, 1912, although it may be of any form capable of accomplishing the desired results. The belt 24 is driven through a sprocket wheel 25 on one of the belt pulley shafts, chain 26, and a sprocket wheel 27 on the shaft 18.

The upper table has a large vertical bearing sleeve 28, providing a horizontal hearing surface 29, and a hollow rotary shaft 30 is journaled in the sleeve 28, and has a circular flange 31 supported by the surface 29 through an intermediate hardened bearing ring 32, as illustrated. Bolted to the upper face of the shaft 30 is a plate 33 on which are provided or supported a plurality of carriers adapted to receive and position the boxes supplied from the belt 24. The hollow shaft 30 extends through the upper table and an element 34 of a Geneva gear is secured thereto, said element being rotated step by step bya wheel 35, having a pin 36 adapted to engage the slots 37 of the wheel 34, the wheel 35 being constructed to peripherally engage circular recesses 38 in the wheel 34, and lock said wheel 34 between the intervals of its movement. The wheel 35 is fast on the vertical shaft 39 to which the gear 15 is attached, and is designed to make a.complete revolution for each step movement of the carrier.

The carriers on the plate 33 are designed to support boxes so as to expose the interior thereof, and preferably so support the boxes that the interior thereof is presented downwardly; The carriers are concentrically disposed relative to the axis of the shaft 30, being adapted to move in endless horizontal paths, and as these carriers are identical in construction a description of one will answer ject into the space between the walls 42 and 43, by springs '44 fastened tothe outside of said walls and bearing against the plates 41. The boxes, open side down, are fed from the belt 24 endwise into the space between the walls 42 and 43, .being supported by thetracks 40 after they leave said belt. In order to restrain return, or'. reverse, movement of the boxes after they have been positioned in the carriers, yielding pawls or latches comprising angular plates 45, are pivoted, one

'on each lateral wall of each carrier, and are yieldingly held in a position in thepathof the boxes enterlng the carriers b s 311I10S 46.

The plates 45 retire into the recesses 4; 1n

the walls as a box is fed thereinto, but immediately return to restrain return movement of said box, and they also assist in positioning the box in the carrier, as will be apparent. After a label has been affixed to the boxes in the carriers described, said boxes are removed from the carriers by passing them between the tracks 40 which yield. to permit such passage. ferred removing mechanism for each carrier comprises a reciprocatory plunger having a head 48, adapted to be'seated between the walls 42 and 43, flush with the upper sur face of the carrier chamber, and yieldingly heldin such position by a spring 49 interposed between the plate 33 and a flange 50 on the plunger rod 51. "Each carrier is comprised in a generally radially extending portion or arm 52 of the plate 33. As the'plate 33 is rotated by the Geneva movement, the carriers successively come to rest with their peripheral open ends closely adjacent the inner side of the endless belt 24, the tracks 40 being preferably slightly below the surface of the belt on which the boxes rest. In this latter position a box is fed from the A part of the pre-V vso belt radially of the plate 33 into the adjacent carrier, by picker mechanism having a general similarity to the picker mechanism described in the patent above referred to. This picker mechanism operates to'feed a box as the several carriers come to rest, and comprises a picker finger53 pivoted to a reciprocatory rod 54, slidable in a bearing bracket 55, fast to a stationary platform 56 within the path of the carriers. The platform 56 is supported at the top of a hollow standard 57 which extends from the lower table through the hollow shaft 30. The countershaft 10 is journaled in a lower slotted portion of said standard 57, and'carries a cam 58, adapted to raise and lower an axially disposed vertical rod 59, having an anti-friction roller 60 adapted to ride on the cam 58, and a series of rack teeth 61 meshing with a pinion 62 on a rock shaft 63 having an arm 6f pivoted to one end of a rod (35, the other end of the latter being pivoted to the picker rod While the carriers previously referred to are at rest, the rotation of shaft 10 causes the finger 53 to move a box from the belt 2iinto the carrier adjacent thereto, and the finger then returns to position outside the path of the boxes to be in readiness to feed a succeeding box. In order that the finger 53 may pass over the boxes in its return or outward movement, it is pivoted so as to be readily deflected by the boxes, a spring 66 being employed to hold the finger in feeding position during the feeding movement.

After a box has been positioned in the carrier the latter is rotated step by step, coming to rest at different points or stations where are located the devices which participate in affixing a label to the inside of the box. One or more of these stations (indicated by the letters a and 6), may be utilized to inspect the boxes, no labeling operations being performed thereat. While at rest at station I), glue is applied to the inner face or wall of the box to be labeled, in the present embodiment to the inner face of the box head. A glue pad 67 is supported opposite the open end of the boxes in the carrier at station Z), said pad comprising an upper surface 68 to which glue or other suitable adhesive may be applied and conveyed thereby to the box. In the present embodiment the pad is rectangular in shape and of a size to enter the box closely adjacent the flange thereof so as to apply glue to the head closely adjacent said flange and enable a label of practically the shape and dimensions of the inner cross-section of the box to be securely attached thereto. The pad 67 is fixed to the upper ends of four guide rods 69, sliding in a block 70, said pad being resiliently supported by coil springs interposed between the block and the pad. The block 7 O is carried at the top of a rod 71, rectangular in cross-section, and extending through the upper table, said rod 71 being vertically reciprocated through instrumentalities which will presently be described. In lower position the pad 67 is spaced below the box in the carrier sufficiently to permit the upper surface of the pad to receive adhesive from a reciprocating glue transfer roller 72, which takes glue from an adhesive reservoir 7 3. The construction of this gluing mechanism is the same as that disclosed in the prior patent referred to and need not be further described herein.

The numeral 74 indicates a label supporting piece on which are adjustably secured upstanding guiding and retaining resilient plates 7 5, spaced apart in pairs, which latter and the supporting piece form a label magazine adapted to contain a pack of labels designed to be applied to the inner glued head of the boxes. This magazine is disposed directly below the carrier when at station 0, and the piece 7% is supported by an arm 7 6 at the upper end of a vertically reciprocatory rectangular rod 77, extending through the upper table, below which it is fixed to the rod 71 by a cross piece 78. Suitable ex tent of bearing surfaces in the upper table may be provided for the rods 77 and 71, to assist in guiding the same. A transversely disposed rock lever 79 is pivoted at one end to cross piece 78 and at its other end to a bracket 80 on the lower table, and the cross piece is elevated by a rotary cam 81 on shaft 10, the periphery of which cam contacts a roller 82 on the lever 79. The plates 7 5 are provided with pointed fingers 83 which project upwardly and inwardly, and when a pack of labels is in position in the label magazine, the uppermost or end label of the pack is pressed against said fingers, whereby the edges of the uppermost labels are slightly held from upward movement, but the uppermost label may be readily withdrawn from the magazine when the pack is pressed against the glued head of the box. The label magazine is provided with a follower plate 8- from which depend four rods respectively disposed adjacent the corners of plate 84:, and guided on the piece 7 6. Two of the guide rods, 85, extend through the piece 74, and two others, 86, are of rectangular section, and have a series of fine teeth forming a ratchet 87, adapted to move past pawls 88, resiliently held in the path. of the ratchet by springs 89. The teeth of the ratchets are so disposed as to permit the ratchets to move in a direction to elevate the pack of labels resting on the follower 84, the follower being retained in advanced position by the pawls 88, and line teeth are employed, as the label pack is designed to be elevated in general proportion to the reduc tion in thickness thereof by the successive removal of the uppermost labels. In order that the uppermost label of the pack may be firmly pressed against the glued head of the box, mechanism is provided to strike the fol lower 84: a sharp blow when the label pack is in elevated position with the uppermost label practically lying against the inner face of the box head. This mechanism comprises a rod 90, loosely guided in an aperture in the piece 74, and having a head 91. The lower end of the rod is in the path of a resilient arm 92 fast on a rotary short shaft 98 supported from the lower table, and driven from the countershaft 10 by a sprocket and chain connection 94.

The numeral. indicates a fixed element or bar in the path of the resilient arm 92, and disposed so that as the arm 92 rotates its outer portions contact said box 95, the arm being consequently flexed or bent by the continued rotation of theshaft 93,.until its end escapes the bar 95, whereupon it sharply snaps against the rod Y90 and causes the latter to delivera'hammer blow against the follower, 8-1, with the result that the uppermost label is firmly pressed against the glued face of the box head with sufficient force to securely adhere thereto.

As the labels are fed from the pack, in the manner above described, the plate 8is gradually elevated so as to maintain the uppermost labelsubstantially flush with the fingers 83. After the above operation the label c magazine and the glue pad descend, andthe box and adhering label move to station cl.

Beneath the carrier at station d is located a presser pad 96 adapted to enter the box and press the adhering label firmly against the glued head, and'smooth the label on said head, removing wrinkles, air bubbles, etc.

The pad 96 is resiliently supported and guided on a plate 97 by depending bars 98, and springs interposed between the pad and plate, and is moved into the box and against the head thereof by a lever 99 in contact with a cam 100, which latter is contoured to cause the presser pad to apply a series of SBPRFMZGPIQSSUFQS, or pats to the label. The cam 100 is fast on the shaft 10. At the next station, station 6, a mirror 101 is disposed beneath the position of thecarrier, at a convenient angle to reflect the interior of the box, so that the operator, if he desires, may observe whether or not the label is properly affixed. may be located at any other otherwise idle station, or that the idle station may be located at another point in the rotary path of the carriers, as may be desired.

It will be observed that the glue is applied to the boxes with a yielding pressure, so as not to unduly compress or possibly crush the wall of the box, and by reason of the possibility of the upper face of the pad 67 rising to and against the reacting upper face 102 of the carriers, when no box is in gluing position, means are provided to cause said glue pad to stop short of said face 102 when no box is in position to be glued. To this end a rock shaft 103 is journaled on the outside of said block, and an arm 104: on shaft 103 plays in a slot 105 in block 70, and is connected to the pad 67 by a link 106. Slidably mounted for vertical movement on block is a member or stifl" bent rod 107 having a forked upper end 108, and the rod 107 is provided with a pin 109 engaged by the forked end of a second arm 110 of the shaft 103. Glue pad restraining members, or detents, are mounted on the several carriers, and each detent comprises a It is obvious that a mirror short non-rotatable rod 111 having a head and a depending portion 112. A spring 113 surrounds rod 111 and urges the same to dispose its head into the space of the carrier to be occupied by a box, and in the path of the incoming box, and when a box enters the carrier it moves the member 112 outof the path of the end of the rod 107, thus permitting the glue pad to rise and be pressed against the box, at which time the rod 111 is straddled by the forked end 108 of the rod 107. When there is no box in the carrier, or when it is'not in correct position therein, the detent is held in the path of the rod 107, which latter uponcontact therewith causes the shaft 103 to rotatein a direction to stop the rise of the pad 67 before contacting with the wall 102. The detent in the illustration is disposed to prevent the pad 67 passing the tracks 10, which operation, if the box were imperfectly positioned in the carrier, might cause it'to be crushed or broken.

Labels having been applied to the inside of boxes by the foregoing construction, the labeled boxes are transferred to a second seriesof carriers which are adapted to hold the boxes while labels are applied to-the outside, the insidev labels being firmly fur,- ther pressed against the heads of the boxes while the outside labeling is going on. The numeral 114 indicates a rotary support or plate, adapted to intermittently rotate synchronously with the plate 33 supporting the other or first series of carriers. On the plate 11% are secured box rests 115, preferably of rectangular shape, having fiat upper faces, said rests being equal in number to the carriers on plate 33, and disposed to move in an endless circular path. Boxes, open side down, are adapted to lie one upon each box rest 115, with their lateral walls or flanges telescoping With the lateral walls of the box rests, being thus held from lateral movement relative to the rests, and their heads being firmly supported or braced by the fiat upper faces of the rests.

The numeral 116 represents a vertically reciprocatory pad'of the size and shape of the glued surface to be given to each box,

and .117 represents a label holder or magazine comprising rectangularly disposed walls between which a pack of labels may be held. The padl16, and the label magazine 117 are disposed opposite successive points of rest in the intermittent rotary'path of the rest-s or carriers 115, and when the boxes are at rest beneath them the pad and the magazine are moved downwardly, the former applying glue to the upper face of the head of the box on one carrier, and the latter causing the bottom label of the pack to rest upon and be pressed against the glued head of a previously glued box. Thereafter the pad and magazine move upwardly a sullicient distance to permit thebox rests to move therebeneath,-and the bottom label of the pack in the magazine Will adhere to the box and be Withdrawn from the pack upon said upward movement. The pad 116 and label magazine 11? are simultaneously moved up and down by their common supporting rod 118, square in cross-section, sliding in a bearing through table 1, and operated by a cam 119 on rotary shaft 12, with which cam an anti-friction roller 120, on a long rock arm 121, engages, said rock arm being pivoted at one end on the table at 122, its opposite end being pivoted to sup porting rod 118 at 123.

At different points of rest in the path of the rest 115, pressing devices 124 are pro vided, each comprising a presser block faced With rubber or canvas and adapted to press the previously applied adhering label on the outside of the boxes and smooth the same thereon, pressing out air bubbles, etc.

Numeral 125 represents a stationary platform concentrically supported Within the periphery of the plate 11 1, and the lateral Walls of the platform may serve as a bearing for the rotary plate 114, said platform being fixed to the upper table. Projecting upwardly from the platform 125, at the center thereof. is a rod 12". adapted to be reciprocated by a cam 127 contacting roller 128 on the lOWQl end of the rod 4o. Numerals 129 indicate brackets fasteneo f.

to platform 1.25, and at the outer ends ()1 said brackets are resiliently supported the respective presser blocks 1241-, these latter each comprising a stem 130 vertically sliding in bearings 131 in the brackets, and resiliently supported by springs 132 interposed between each bracket and a head 133 in each stem. 129 at 134 is a lever 135, the outer ends having an adjustable pin 136 adapted to contact the heads 133, and their inner ends being in the path of contact pieces 137 on the rod 126, said contact pieces comprisim projections or lugs on a sleeve 138 fastened to said rod 126. As the rod 126 rises, the levers 129 are rocked and the pressers 134 caused to contact with the labels on the out side of the boxes, firmly pressing the labels on the boxes and smoothing or spreading them out thereon.

139 indicates a glue tank on table 1, and three rollers are employed to transfer glue from the tank to a glue transfer roller 111, journaled in a reciprocatory frame 1412, operated by a face cam 143 on shaft 12., cooperating with a rock arm 14 1 pivoted on the lower table, and also pivoted to red 1 15 pivotally joined to an arm 116 on a rock sleeve 1:17 journaled on a bracket 143 on the upper table, an arm 149 on said sleeve 1 17 being pivotally connected to said sleeve 142.

Fulcrumed on each bracket As the frame 1 12 is reciprocated the roller 141-alternately transfers glue from the last roller of the series 140 to the bottom of pad 116, when said pad is in its upper osition, so that said pad Will have a freshly glued face to be applied to the box When it is moved down against the san'ie. The rollers 1 10 are intergeared for simultaneous rotation in the usual manner, as indicated at 150, and the shaft of one roller 151 is extended and provided With a sprocket wheel driven by a chain 152 from a sprocket Wheel 153 on the shaft 12.

The shaft 21 is connected to intermittently rotate the plate 11 1 by any suitable mechanism, such as a Geneva movement explained in connection with the carrier plate 33, and illustrated in Fig. 1.

After the boxes have had the labels applied, pressed and smoothed against the outside, as explained, they are stripped or ejected from the machine, preferably by be,- ing lifted from the respective rests and cast to one side. Any mechanism capable of accomplishing this result may be employed, a suitable device comprising a vertically mov able rod 154, having an inwardly extending arm 15:) above the path of the boxes, provided with downwardly extending spring ingers 156 terminating in shoulders or books 157 adapted to take beneath the inner edge of each box, and lift the box until its flange edge at one side escapes the upper surface of the box rest. T he movements of the arm are accomplished by a cam 158, on sliaft 12, operated by a rock arm 159 pivoted to the rod 154:. An ejector device comprising a finger 160 fastened to a rod 161 slid g in a bracket 162 on. the platform, is operated by a rock lever 163, one arm of the latter being pivoted to the rod 161 and the other arm adapted to lie in the path of the rests 115. As the rest next preceding the last pressing station moves from pressing position it rocks the lever 163 in a direction to retract the finger 160 inside of, but closely adjacent to, the path of the boxes, and When the fingers 156 have l fted the box, as previously explained, the end 164: of rock lever 163 escapes the said rest 115, whereupon a spring 1611 thrusts the fin 'er 160 outwardly While the box is in said elevated position, thus casting the box to one side. A spring 165, loose on the rod 161, between a collar 166 thereon, and the bracket 162, serves to cushion the ejection movement of the fingers, and to return the end 164: into the path of the box rests.

It may here be stated that the supporting plate 114, box rests 115, and the gluing and labeling mechanisms associated therewith to label boxes on the outside are substantially similar to the devices for performing like operations found in the patent heretofore referred to. The stripping mechanism ment with the box supporting device of the first series of carriers at station f. WVhen the carriers of the two series are in station ary position at station 7, the planes of the lateralwalls of the box which has had a label applied to its inner face are in parallel relation to the respective sides of the box rests 115. V

The numeral 166 represents a rock lever fulcrumed at 167 on a bracket 168, the outer end of said lever being disposed just above the path of the upper end of the plunger rod 51, when the latter is at rest at station f. The inner end of lever 166 is disposed above a tappet, lug, or arm 169 secured to the upper portion of the axially disposed vertically reciprocating rod 59. After the respective carriers have come to rest in overlapping position at station 7, the upward movement of rod '59 not only causes a box to be moved from the endless belt to the adjacent carrier of the first series, but also the lug 169 depresses the outer arm of lever 166, which in turn depresses the plunger rod 51, and transfers the box at station f out of the upper carrier and causes the same to be placed in telescopic relation with the box rest immediately therebeneath, the tracks 40 being turned on their pivots to permit passage of the box, and being returned to box supporting position by the springs44. Not only are the boxes thus transferred from one carrier series to the other, but the upper surface of the rests 115 serve as additional means for pressing the labels on the inside of the boxes throughout their rotary path on the second series of carriers. thus avoiding a multiplicity of independent pressers for the first series which might otherwise be required. The rests 115 are of a size to nicely fit the interior of the boxes. so that the inner labels are firmly pressed against the heads of the boxes throughout their entire area, the edges of the labels being caused to be firmly adhesively secured to the heads.

When the labels of the magazine 117 are not separate readilv from the pack of labels,

and to keep the boxes on the rests under such circumstances, fingers 175 are disposed slightly above the position assumed by the upper face of the box on the rests, said fingers being fixed to brackets 17 6 and 177, on the platform 125 and the upper table respectively.

The operation of the machine in labeling boxes or rather hollow articles will be obvious from the above description, but a brief summary thereof may not be inadvisable at this point. The boxes to be labeled may be either the cover or the container of an ordinary sectional cigarette box, and the operator places them upon the endless belt 24 open side down. The belt 24 moves the boxes into position in front of the picker 53, which position is determined by a fixed cross-piece 178, beneath which the belt passes, and against which the boxes are stopped in front of the picker. carriers are at rest in their horizontal rotary path, the picker 53 is moved transversely of the belt and the box in position at station It is slid from the belt into the adjacent carrier, said box moving along on tracks 40, which latter contacts the upper edge of the box and serves to temporarilv retain the same. The picker moves the box until its rear side escapes the pawls 45, which latter spring out and restrain the reverse movement thereof, and in this position the stop 112 is removed from the path of the rod 107.

WVh en the I The picker then returns for a succeeding box. and the carrier movesa step to station a, where, by means of a mirror similar to the mirrorlOl, it may be noted whether or not the box is in correct position. The carrier then makes another step, and the box comes to rest at station I), whereupon the glue pad 67, having previously been coated'on its up- "per surface with glue or other'suitableadhesive, r1ses, and its glued face is pressed against the head ofthe box on the inside thereof. The glue pad then retreats to its lowermost position, and the carrier makes another step, the box arriving at station a,

beneath which is located the label magazine 7 com risin fin ers 75. This ma azine then E h E) rises and the top label of the pack in the magazine is pressed against the glue head of the box, the snapper 92 giving a strong pressure for an instant in order to cause the label to more surely adhere to the box. Said; label magazine having retreated the carrier is moved another step to station (Z, where the presser 96 is raised into the box and the adhering label is firmly pressed against the box, the cam 101 having a plurality of ele- 1 vated portions so as to cause the presser 96 to, as it were, pat the label against the box several times while at this station. The presser 96 having retreated to its lowermost pos1t1on, the carrier moves to station 6, at

whichyby looking in the mirror 101 the label on the inside of the box may be observed. The carrier then moves to station 7, and, it

Will be clear from the foregoing, that the other series of carriers on the plate 114 have moved synchronously with the series of carriers just referred to, and hence one of the box rests 115 of the second series of carriers Will be in boxreceiving position beneath the upper carrier at station 7. Both carriers be- "ill ing at rest at station 7, the rod 59 rises, and the arm 169 rocks the lever 166, which latter depresses the rod 51, causing the head as thereof to force the box from the upper onto the lower carrier through the plane of the upper carrier, the path of the box, when being transferred, thus intersecting that of the upper carrier, the box assuming a telescopic position on the lower carrier and being firmly pressed thereagainst by the head #38. T he rod 59 then moves downwardly and the head 4-8 returns to its seat, whereupon the box, now on the second carrier, is moved intermittently to the gluing, labeling, and pressing devices previously described, and by means of which a label is applied and ad iesively aliixed to the outside of the head of the labeled box in a position opposite to the label previously applied. lVhile this invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a machine Which applies labels to boxes, and similar articles, it is of course to be understood that strips of material similar to label material in their texture or mode of applica tion are Within the purview of the inven tion; the invention finding ready applicability Whether the strips to be applied are or are not printed or otherwise marked. It Will be noted that each operation in aiiixing a label to the outside of the box in the manner previously described causes the label on the inside to be further pressed against the inside of the box, so that if by any possibility it should not have adhered to the inside at all points its adherence is practically assured by the subsequent pressing operations just mentioned. The outside label having been applied. and pressed on the box, the box is lifted from the box rests and thrown to one side into a convenient receptacle.

It will be noted that in the embodiment disclosed herein, the carriers are comprised in horizontally rotating elements, and that the plane of feed of the boxes from the belt to the carrier which directly receives it is substantially parallel to the plane of the path of said carrier. This disposition of the parts makes for simplicity, both in con struction and operation, it not being required to positively hold the boxes on the belt, or when being transferred to the first carrier, and but one movement being required to transfer an inside-labeled box to the second carrier, this movement being preferably at an angle to the plane of the first carrier. Thus by the above construction are accomplished among others, the objects hereinbefore stated.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently Widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to more in endless overlapping paths, and mechanism adapted to allix a label to a box on one carrier, transfer said labeled box to another of said carriers in a gath intersecting each of said endle s paths, and another label to said la. eled box on said other carrier.

In an apparatus of the character de soib d, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, mechanism adapted to a label to a box on one carrier, and means adapted tomove said labeled box to another carrier in a path Within the overlapping portions of said two carriers.

3. In an apparatus of the character decribed, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, mechanism adapted to allix a la el to an inside face of a box on one carrier, means adapted to transfer said labeled box to another of said carriers, and means adapted to ai'lix another label to an outside face of said labeled box on said other carrier.

l. In an apparatus or the character described, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless over lapping paths, mechanism adapted to feed boxes successively to one of said carriers, mechanism adapted to a'l'lix labels to the inside faces of the boxes on one carrier, successively transfer said labeled boxes to another of said carriers, and aiiix other labels to the outside faces of the labeled boxes on said other carrier, and devices aisociated with said respective carriers adapted to press said boxes and applied labels against each other.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination. a plurality of carriers adapted to more boxes in endless overlapping paths, one of said car iers compris ing means adapted to support boxes so as to expose the interior thereof, and mechanism adapted to ai'lix a label to an inner face of a box on said supporting means. transfer said labeled box to another of said carriers, and aliix another label to said labeled box on said other carrier.

6. In an apparatus of the character denism adapted to aflix labels'to the inner faces of boxes on said supporting means, means adapted to successively operate said remover to transfer said labeled boxes to another of said carriers, and means adapted to affix other labels to said labeled boxes on said other carrier.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless over lapping paths, one of said carriers compris- 1ng pairs of spaced fingers adapted to sup- 7 port boxes so as to expose the interior thereof, means adapted to resiliently hold said fingers in supporting position, a box remover opposite each pair of fingers, means adapted to feed boxes into supported position on said fingers, means adapted to restrain reverse movement of said boxes When in supported position onsaid fingers, mechanism adapted to affix labels to the inner faces of boxes on said supporting means,

means adapted to successively operate said removers to transfer said labeled boxes past said fingers to another of said carriers, and means adapted to affix other labels to said labeled boxes on said other carrier.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to support boxes so as to expose the interior thereof, a glue pad, means adapted to move said pad into successive boxes on said supporting means and thereby apply glue to the inner face of said boxes, and mechanism adapted to apply labels to the glued faces of the boxes on said carrier, transfer said labeled boxes to another of said carriers and aiiix other labels to the outside faces of said labeled boxes on said other carrier.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to support boxes'so as to expose the interior thereof, a glue pad, means adapted to move said pad into successive boxes on said supporting means and thereby apply glue to the inner faces of said boxes, mechanism adapted to apply labels to the glued faces of the boxes on said carrier, transfer said labeled boxes to another of said carriers and aiiix other labels to the outside faces of said labeled boxes on said other carrier, and devices adapted to cause the movement of said pad toward the carrier to stop short of the carrier when-no box is in glue applying position thereon.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of box glue pad, means adapted to move said pad into successive boxes on said supporting means and thereby apply glue to the inner faces of'said boxes, and mechanism adapted to apply labels to the glued faces of the boxes on said carrier, transfer said'labeled boxes to another of said carriers and affix other labels to the outside faces of said labeled boxes on said other carrier, said pad comprising a member adapted to contact With said restraining'member WllGIl'IlO box is inglue applying position onsaid supporting means.

11. In an apparatus of the character de.

scribed, in combination, a plurality of box carrlers adapted to move 1n endless overlapping paths, pairs of box supporting tracks mounted on one of said carriers,

means adapted to feed boxes along said tracks into predetermined position such that V the interior thereof is exposed, yieldingly mounted v glue pad restraining adapted to be displaced by said boxes when in said predetermined position, means adapted to restrain reverse movement of said boxes on said tracks, a yieldingly mounted glue pad comprising a member in.

alinement with said restraining member when no box is in glue applying position on said tracks, means adapted to move said pad into respect ve boxes on said tracks to apply glue to inner faces thereof, and mechanism adapted to apply labels to the glued faces of said boxes, transfer said labeled boxes to members V another of said carriers, and affix other labels to the outside faces of said-labeled boxes on said other carrier.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of-box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, one carrier comprising means 1 adapted to support boxes and expose the interior thereof, and another carrier comprising means adapted to support boxes and expose the exterior thereof, means adapted to move said carriers so that the box supporting means of one aline With those of the other in pairs, and means adapted to affix labels to the faces of the boxes on the supporting means of one carrier, transfer the labeled boxes to the supporting means of the other carrier when in alinement, and affix other labels to the faces of the labeled boxes opposite said labeled face.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, one carrier comprising means adapted to support boxes and expose the interior thereof, and another carrier comprising means adapted to support boxes and expose the exterior thereof, means adapted to move said carriers so that the box supporting means of one aline with those of the other in pairs, means adapted to affix labels to the interior faces of the boxes on the supporting means of one carrier, means adapted to press said labeled boxes onto the supporting means of said other carrier, and means adapted to afiix labels to the exterior faces of said boxes when on said other carner.

l-it. In an apparatus of the character described, in'combination, a plurality of box carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, one carrier comprising means adapted to support boxes and expose the interior thereof, and another carrier comprising means adapted to support boxes and expose-the exterior thereof, means adapted to move said carriers so that the box supporting means of one aline with those of the other in pairs, means adapted to affix labels to the interior faces of the boxes on the supporting means of one carrier, means adapted to transfer said labeled boxes to the supporting means of the other carrier and press their labeled faces thereagainst, and means adapted to affix labels to the exterior faces of saidboxes opposite said labeled face when on said other carrier.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotary carriers adapted to move in overlapping paths, one of said carriers comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced yielding tracks, and the other carrier comprising a plurality of rests, means adapted to intermittently rotate said carriers and cause said tracks and rests to aline in pairs, means adapted to feed boxes along said pairs of tracks into predetermined position thereon so that the interior of said boxes is disposed toward the plane of said rests, means adapted to affix labels to the inner faces of the boxes on said tracks, means adapted to push said labeled boxes transversely of said tracks and cause the same to telescope with said rests when in alinement, and means adapted to affix labels to the exterior of said labeled boxes on said rests.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotary carriers adapted to move in overlapping paths, one of said carriers comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced yielding tracks, and the other carrier comprising a plurality of rests, means adapted to intermittently rotate said carriers and cause said tracks and rests to aline in pairs, means adapted to feedboxes along said pairs of tracks into predetermined position thereon so that the interior of said boxes is disposed toward the plane of said rests, means adapted to affix labels to the inner faces of the boxes on said tracks, means adapted to push said labeled boxes transversely of said tracks and cause the same to telescope with and the labeled faces to be pressed against said rests when in alinement, and means adapted to aiiix labels to the exterior of said labeled boxes on said rests.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, means adapted to feed boxes to one carrier in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the path of said carrier, means adapted to transfer boxes from said latter carrier to the other carrier, and means adapted to aflix labels to the inner faces of the boxes on one carrier and the outer faces.

of the boxes on the other carrier.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, means adapted to feed boxes to one carrier in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the path of said carrier, means adapted to transfer boxes from said latter carrier to the other carrier, in a path at an angle to the plane of said latter path, and means adapted to aflix labels to the inner faces of the boxes on one carrier and the outer faces of the boxes on the other carmen 19. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, means adapted to feed boxes to one carrier in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the path of said carrier, means adapted to transfer boxes from said latter carrier to the other carrier in a path perpendicular to the path of said carrier, and means adapted to afiix labels to the inner faces of the boxes on one carrier and the outer faces of the boxes on the other carrier.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, said carriers each comprising a series of box supporting and positioning devices, means adapted to intermittently move said carriers so that the supporting and positioning devices of one carrier aline with those of the other when said carriers are at rest, means adapted to affix labels to the inner faces of boxes on one carrier and to the outer faces of boxes-onthe other carrier, and means adapted to transfer boxes from one carrier to the other.

In an'apparatus of the character de scr1bed,.in combination, a plurality of car riers-adapted to .move in endless overlap-* ping'paths, said carriers each comprising 7 a series of box supporting and positioning devices, means adapted to intermittently move said carriers '50 that, the supporting and positioning devicesof one carrier aline with those of the other when saidicarriers are at rest, meansadapted .to affix labels to theinner-faces of boxes on one carrier and to'the outer faces .of boxes on the other carrier, and means adapted. to transfer boxes from one carrier to the other, comprising. a box moving plunger adapted to be disposed opposite said alining point of said supporting and positioning devices;

'22. In an apparatus. of the character 'de-- scribed, in combination, a plurality of carriers adaptedto move in endless-overlapping paths, said carriers each comprising a, series of box' supporting and positioning devices, f means adapted to intermittently move i said carriers so" that the supporting and positioning devicesfof one carrier aline with those of the other when said carriers are at rest, means adapted to aflix'labels to the inner faces of boxes on one carrier and to theouter faces of boxes onthe other carrier, means adapted to transfer boxes from one carrier to theother, comprising a box moving plunger adapted to be disposed opposite said alining point of said supporting and positioning devices, and means adapted to cause said plunger to .move the inside 1 labeled box fromone carrier to the other 40 rier, means adapted to transfer boxes from,

one carrier to the other, comprising a box moving plunger adapted'to be disposed opposite saidialining point of said supporting and positioning devices, and means adapted to cause sa1d plunger to move the inside labeled box from onecarrier to the other. and press its labeled'face against the latter,

comprising .a rock lever having an arm spaced from and adapted to move into contact with said plunger.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality vofcarriers adapted to, move in endless over1ap-' ping paths, said carriers each comprising a series of box supporting and positioning devices, means adapted to intermittently move-said carriers so that the supporting andpositioning devices of one carrier aline with those of the other when said'carriers areat rest, means adapted to affix labels to the inner faces of boxeson one carrier and to the outer faces of boxes on the other carrier, and means .adapted to transfer boxes from onecarrier to the other comprising plungers on onecarrieropposite the respective supporting and positioning means.

25. In'an'apparatus of ,thecharacter described, in combination, a pluralityof'carrlers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, sai'df carriers each comprising a;

seriesof-box supporting and positioning devices, means adapted .to intermittently move said carriers so that the supporting". L

and positioning devices of one carrler ali-ne' with those of the other when-said carriers are at rest, means adapted to afiix labels to the inner .facespf boxes on one carrier and to the outer' faces of boxes on the other carrier, -means adaptedfto. transfer boxes from one carrier to; the other comprising plungers on one carrier opposite the re- '95 and a rock lever having an-arm d sposed spective supporting and positioning-means,

opposite said plungers at the alining--point of the supporting and positioningdevices of said carriers.

26. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of sa1d 02.11161'5 comprising .means adapted to retain'a hollow article by. con- 7 tact withthe outer surface thereof, and the other carrier comprising meansadapted to move said carriers in'adjacent paths, and means adapted to. transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one of said carriers to that of said other carrier.

27. In an apparatus of the character; described, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of said carriers comprising yielding means adapted to contact the edge of a adapted to retain a hollow article by. con- V retain ahollow article. by contactwith' an interior surface thereof, means adapted to" hollow article and retain the same. thereon, h andthe other :carrier comprismg means tact with an interior surface thereof, means adapted to movesaid carriers in adjacent paths, and means adapted to move a hollow articlefrom the-retaining means'of one carrier to that of the other in a direction. to.

cause said edge contacting means to yield and permit the article to pass.

28. In an apparatus 'of the charactendescribed, incombination, a pair of carriers, one of sa1d carriers comprismg means .adapted to retain a hollow artlcle bycontact. with the outer surface thereofiand theother carrier comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with an interior surface thereof, means adapted to move said carriers in adjacent paths, and means adapted to transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one of said carriers to that of said other carrier through the plane of the former carrier.

29. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with the outer surface thereof, and the other carrier comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with an interior surface thereof, means adapted to intermittently move said carriers in paths which overlap at a stationary point in said paths, and means adapted to transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one carrier to that of the other.

30. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with the outer surface thereof, and the other carrier comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with an interior surface thereof, means adapted to intermittently move said carriers in paths which overlap at a stationary point in said paths, and means adapted to transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one carrier to that of the other through the plane of the former carrier.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with the outer surface thereof, and the other carrier comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with an interior surface thereof, means adapted to move said carriers in adjacent paths, means adapted to 7 transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one of said carriers to that of said other carrier, and means adapted to afliX a label to said article while on one of said carriers.

3:2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with the outer surface thereof, and the other carrier comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with the interior surface thereof, means adapted to move said carriers in adjacent paths, means adapted to transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one of said carriers to that of said other carrier, and means adapted to affix a label to the interior of the article retained by its exterior surface, and to the exterior of the article retained by its interior surface.

33. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, one of said carriers comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with the outer surface thereof, and the other carrier comprising means adapted to retain a hollow article by contact with an interior surface thereof, means adapted to intermittently move said carriers in paths which overlap at a stationary point in said paths, means adapted to transfer a hollow article from the retaining means of one carrier to that of the other through the plane of the former carrier, and means adapted to afiix a label to the interior of the article retained by its exterior surface, and to the exterior of the article retained by its interior surface.

34:. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of article carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, mechanism adapted to perform a labeling operation on an article on one carrier, means adapted to move said labeled article to another carrier in a path within the overlapping portions of said two carriers, and means adapted to perform a labeling operation on said article while on said latter carrier.

35. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, means adapted to move said carriers in predetermined paths, means adapted to feed an article to one of said carriers,means adapted to apply a label to said article while on said carrier, means adapted to move said labeled article through the plane of said carrier to said other carrier, and means adapted to affix another label to said box while on said other carrier.

36. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers adapted to move in endless overlapping paths, means adapted to feed an article to one of said carriers, means adapted to apply a label to said article while on said carrier, means adapted to move said labeled article therefrom to said other carrier in a path intersecting said former carrier, and means adapted to apply a label to said article while on said other carrier.

37. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of carriers, means adapted to move said carriers in predetermined ovelapping paths, means adapted to feed an article to one of said carriers, means adapted to apply a label to said article while on said carrier, means adapted to move said labeled article through the plane of said carrier to said other carrier, and means adapted to perform a labeling operation on said article while on said other carrier.

38. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, means adapted to adhesively affix a label to an in ner wall of a box, means adapted to apply said labeled box to said support so as to support said labeled wall, and means adapted to adhesively afiix another label to theoutside face of said labeled wall while the box is on said support.

39. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, means adapted to adhesively aflix a label to an inner wall of a box, means adapted to apply said labeled box to said support so as to support said labeled wall, and means adapted to adhesively afiix another label to the outside face of said box opposite said Copies of this patent may lie-obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

labeled wall while the box is on said sup-;

port.

with to affix labels to the inner and the outer faces of a box while on said carryingmeans.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES WrANDERsON. Witnesses: 1

EVELAND, WV. B. MORTON.

Washington, D. O. 7 V 

